In the sultry streets of Charleston, one family, ruled by its powerful, take-no-prisoners sons, has risen to the top. But a merciless enemy is out to destroy them…and everyone they hold close…

Exclusive bonus material ONLY available in print edition!

SHE KNOWS THE TRUTH IS IN REACH
As a lawyer and aspiring Congresswoman, Bea likes to keep things professional. But she’s hired to investigate past dark secrets embedded in the Benedict business empire—and as secret wife to Knox Benedict, the job is about to become even more personal…

BUT THE CLOSER SHE GETS
Knox is the moral backbone of the Benedict family, but even a modern-day saint can have a mysterious side. He’s out to win back his estranged secret wife—but getting close to her again could destroy them both…

THERE IS NOWHERE LEFT TO RUN…
As Bea and Knox dig up the truth, Bea falls deeper and deeper into danger. Someone close by is watching her—and waiting to kill. Can Knox save the woman he loves from the enemy out to destroy them? And can their marriage survive the deadliest secret of all?

Deadly Secret by Tara Thomas is the second full length novel in the romantic suspense Sons of Broad series. There were also three prequel novellas to the series that featured one couple then the first installment moved to the first of three Benedict brothers and his significant other. Now we’ve moved onto Knox Benedict and his wife, Bea.

While the main characters in the series keep changing as it goes on the series has an underlying plot that continues on with each story so it would be best enjoyed to just start at the beginning of it all. The author is also keeping previous lead characters involved in the books so those that do start at the beginning will be updated on where they are as the story moves forward in each book in the series.

Now as far as this installment of the series I’d have to say that it had a set up that I do enjoy with the main couple having a past so while the books are very fast paced it doesn’t feel as if it’s an insta-love when they were already married and coming back together. Of course in Bea and Knox’s case it sounds a bit like they rushed into things in the past but there was still something already there when we join them which made me a bit more comfortable with their chemistry and a bit more believability.

I would warn readers that absolutely hate cliffhangers thought that Tara Thomas has certainly done that yet again. She’s doing a great job tying all the books together and keeping the action intense with each read but again when finished I felt there is just so much left and would love to move onto the next book right away but it’s unfortunately not here yet to enjoy just yet.

Tara Thomas’s love of books and writing started as a child and though she wanted to be an author, she decided a degree in science was more practical. After fifteen years in the pharmaceutical industry, she returned to her first love and hasn’t looked back since.

She writes erotic romance as Tara Sue Me. Her Submissive Series novels have been on both the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. Her novel THE MASTER earned a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, was awarded Best Romance of 2016 from Best Book Awards, and is a 2017 RITA Finalist for Best Erotic Romance.

Let us know what you think of the cover for Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga, which releases July 3, 2018!

This cover reveal is brought to you by Entangled Teen.

About Kiss of the Royal:

In the war against the Forces of Darkness, the Royals are losing. Princess Ivy is determined to end this centuries-long conflict once and for all, so her new battle partner must succeed where the others failed. Prince Zach’s unparalleled skill with a sword, enhanced by Ivy’s magic Kiss, should make them an unstoppable pair—but try convincing Zach of that.

Prince Zach has spent his life preparing for battle, but he would rather be branded a heretic than use his lips as nothing more than a way to transfer magic. A kiss is a symbol of love, and love is the most powerful weapon they have—but try convincing Ivy of that.

With the fate of their world on the line, the battlefield has become a testing ground, and only one of them can be right. Falling for each other wasn’t part of the plan—but try convincing their hearts of that.

About Lindsey Duga:

Lindsey Duga is a middle grade and young adult writer with a passion for fantasy, science fiction, and basically any genre that takes you away from the real world. She wrote her first novel in college while she was getting her bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University.

Other than writing and cuddling with her morkie puppy, Delphi, Lindsey loves catching up on the latest superhero TV show and practicing yoga.

More than a year after graduating from college, Nyra’s beginning to wonder when her life gets started. Was it like this for her mother? Nyra doubts it, but things were different then. Her reality is nothing like her mother’s.

Nyra gets that every generation faces its own challenges and she’s smart enough to know its on her to overcome them. That’s why she worked two jobs all through college, studied so hard and tried not to think too much about the mountain of student debt weighing down her tomorrow.

Still, this feeling of wading through quicksand is getting old. Buried deep in the half-formed jumble of dreams for her future, Nyra hears the siren song of hope whispering to her. She’s so ready. But is the song she hears really hope or is it illusion?

Dirk Sayers grew up in a university town in Iowa, where he spent his formative years with one foot in the simplicity of farm country and the other in the frenetic environment of a university town immersed in the social upheaval of the sixties. He managed to survive it all, sometimes in spite of himself.

After graduating from college, he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Marine Corps, serving for 22 years on five continents, during peace and war. He was decorated five times and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. On retiring, he discovered, (among other things), his experience and six dollars would get him a cup of coffee everywhere…but not necessarily a job.

Accordingly, Dirk took an eighteen month sabbatical to earn a Master’s degree in Organizational Development. Hired shortly after completing his thesis, he applied his new degree as a Corporate Trainer and District Manager. After eleven years with the same company, Dirk became a casualty of the 2008 financial crisis, along with many of the men and women he helped train.

Since then, Dirk has published numerous articles and short stories and two books; a non-fiction work entitled, The Woman’s No-fear Guide to Online dating and his first novel, West of Tomorrow. He is also working on the first volume of a science fiction series, Tier Zero, Volume I of The Knolan Cycle and an anthology of short stories, entitled Through the Windshield, Drive-by Encounters with Truth.

Dirk currently lives in Laguna Niguel, with his wife, two psychotic cats, a Ball Python named Corona and a crow with a deformed talon named Hop-along. His author’s web site is dirksayers.com where he blogs about a variety of issues of interest to us all & posts the latest news regarding his writings.

Music Monday is a meme that was created by Drew from The Tattooed Book Geek. You pick a song and/or video and share it on Monday.

The song and video I am sharing today is:

Sylvia – Nobody and Carrie Underwood – Before He Cheats

True story time…. When I was a kid probably one of the very first songs I memorized all of the lyrics to and used to run around singing at the top of my lungs much to the dismay of those that had to listen was Nobody by Sylvia. Now at that age I really had no clue what the lyrics really meant and just found it a catchy song. As an adult now I can’t help but shake my head and feel sorry for that woman desperately clinging to a cheating piece of pond scum. So this got me to thinking about how back then women were told to stand by their man and then think of today’s music which immediately made me think of Carrie Underwood’s song Before He Cheats that couldn’t be further from the feel of Nobody in which she really gets back at that cheating ex and I can’t help but give a little cheer of you go girl! So for today’s post I thought it would be fun to share both tunes. Enjoy!

Lyrics:

Sittin’ in a restaraunt and she walked by
I seem to recall that certain look in your eye
I said, “Who is that?” you said with a smile
“Oh it’s nobody, oh nobody”

Maybe that explains the last two weeks
You called me up dead on your feet
Working late again I ask, “Who with?”
“You said nobody, oh nobody”

Well your nobody called today
She hung up when I asked her name
Well I wonder does she think, she’s being clever?
(Clever)
You say nobody’s after you
The fact is what you say is true
But I can love you like nobody can, even better

Late last night we went for a drive
You were miles away
I ask, “Who’s on your mind?”
You said, “Nobody, why do you ask?”
(Nobody)
Oh her again, I could’ve told you that

We came back home got ready for bed
I said to myself I’ve got one shot left
You’re still mine and I won’t stand in line
Behind nobody, nobody

Well your nobody called today
She hung up when I asked her name
Well I wonder does she think she’s being clever?
(Clever)
You say nobody’s after you
The fact is what you say is true
But I can love you like nobody can, even better

Well your nobody called today
She hung up when I asked her name
Well I wonder does she think she’s being clever?
(Clever)
You say nobody’s after you
The fact is what you say is true
But I can love you like nobody can, even better

Well your nobody called today
She hung up when I asked her name
Well I wonder does she think she’s being clever?
(Clever)

Right now, he’s probably up behind her
With a pool-stick
Showing her how to shoot a combo
And he don’t know

I dug my key into the side
Of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seats
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights
I slashed a hole in all four tires
Maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats

Right now, she’s probably up singing some
White-trash version of Shania karaoke
Right now, she’s probably saying “I’m drunk”
And he’s a-thinking that he’s gonna get lucky

Right now, he’s probably
Dabbing on three dollars
Worth of that bathroom Polo
Oh, and he don’t know

That I dug my key into the side
Of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seats
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights
I slashed a hole in all four tires
Maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats

I might have saved a little trouble for the next girl
‘Cause the next time that he cheats
Oh, you know it won’t be on me!
No, not on me

‘Cause I dug my key into the side
Of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seats
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights
I slashed a hole in all four tires
Maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats

Oh, maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats
Oh, before he cheats
Oh

Britta Johnston might be a late bloomer, but after leaving her deadbeat husband and dead-end job, she’s finally pursuing her artistic passion at her aunt Elin’s floral boutique, Blooma, in Portland, Oregon. It’s on the banks of the Willamette, in a quaint district of cobblestone paths and cherry trees. The wine bar featuring Pacific Northwest vintages is a tasty bonus, offering another kind of bouquet to enjoy. But things aren’t as peaceful as they look.

For one thing, someone’s been leaving dead roses around—and a sleazy real estate developer who wants the waterfront property has put a big-money offer on the table. Then, after a contentious meeting of local business owners, he’s found on the floor of the shop, with Elin’s garden shears planted in his chest. And before the police decide to pin the crime on her beloved aunt, Britta will have to find out who arranged this murder . . .

Natural Thorn Killer by Kate Dyer-Seeley is the first book in the new cozy Rose City Mystery series. The series is set in Portland, Oregon where Britta Johnston has returned home to the aunt that raised her and taken a job in her floral boutique, Blooma, along the banks of the Willamette which gave the setting a lovely small town feel to it.

Britta had just found out that her husband had been cheating which gave her the push to leave the marriage that she knew she hadn’t been happy in for quite a while. Working at a dead end job and supporting her husband had really brought her down so Britta takes the opening to return to her aunt and a job that allows her to showcase her artistic talents.

However, shortly after Britta returns and begins to get herself established in her new life she finds a rather huge shock when walking into the shop to find the same sleazy real estate developer that had been trying to buy up the area dead. With a rather charming detective on the case Britta finds herself jumping in and trying to find the killer herself.

The setting in this first installment of the series was a rather lovely one with the quaint village that the flower shop is set in giving a everyone knows everyone small town vibe. The author also seems to know her way around floral arrangements as far as I can tell not knowing too much in that area myself.

The one thing I found however that really bothered me a bit was adding in a budding romance for Britta when the book starts off with her leaving her marriage. Had the author perhaps joined the Britta say six months or so after her move and simply filled readers in on what had brought her to the west coast it might have set better with me but I kept thinking it was just too soon to worry about dating or love. In the end I’d give this first installment to the series 3.5 stars and hope that as it goes on I’ll feel Britta finding love along with solving murders a bit more believable.

Kate Dyer-Seeley is the author of Scene of the Climb, Slayed on the Slopes, Silenced in the Surf, First Degree Mudder, and In Cave Danger in the Pacific Northwest Mystery series, as well as the memoir Underneath the Ash. Her writing has appeared in Climbing Magazine, The Oregonian, The Columbian, Portland Family Magazine, and The Vancouver Voice. She is an active member of the Willamette Writers Association and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. Visit her website at katedyerseeley.com.

SHE’S LEARNED ALL ABOUT KILLERSThey aren’t the kind of women anyone misses. Truck-stop hookers, runaways . . . no one would even notice they’d disappeared if the killer didn’t photograph their lifeless bodies, posed in the back of a semi-trailer. Exactly like the infamous Trucker murders. But this isn’t just a copycat. It’s a vendetta.

NOW HE’LL TEACH HERCarmen Jacobs interviewed the world’s most terrifying serial killers for her bestselling book, The Heart of a Predator. The police might not believe her, but she knows there’s a monster out there, paying homage to other murderers. The only person who can predict where he’ll strike next is Griffin Archer—a reclusive software millionaire with ample reason not to help her.HOW TO DIE . . .Carmen has charmed her way past Griffin’s defenses before. He didn’t intend to let it happen again. But with a psycho sending her trophies of his kills, he has no choice but to get involved. The clues point to a killer obsessed with Carmen—someone who knows her work, her past, her secrets. Someone who won’t be satisfied until he has made all her deepest fears come true . . .

What Are You Afraid Of? by Alexandra Ivy is the second book in the romantic suspense The Agency series. While this is the second book in the series it contains all new characters and a new killer so it can be read fine as a standalone novel if one chooses to do so.

In this addition to the series Carmen Jacobs has written a best selling novel about serial killers after interviewing them. She’s off in a remote cabin vacationing when an envelope shows up on the porch. When opened Carmen finds Polaroids of victims that resemble the murders from one of the killers in her book but these photos were not used in his case.

Carmen thinks that there very well may be new victims out there and possibly a new killer so she contacts the local police only to have them think it’s a publicity stunt for her to sell more books. Knowing something sinister is going on Carmen contacts Griffin Archer and enlists his help finding this new killer before the killer comes after Carmen.

Now to explain my rating on What Are You Afraid Of?… There’s nothing particularly wrong with this book, it’s a typical romantic suspense with the couple coming together while avoiding danger. We have a serial killer on the loose to find and a couple with decent chemistry for some steamy moments but when finished with this one I just felt that while all the boxes were checked it didn’t really stand out and wow me either. To be honest the wrap up even felt a bit standard and I suppose what I wanted was a bit more twists and turns to keep me guessing but instead was led straight to the end leading to a bit of a let down so while it was OK I dare say it may be a bit forgettable too.

Alexandra Ivy is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romantic suspense, paranormal and erotic romance. She has also written Regency historicals under the name Deborah Raleigh. A five-time RT Book Award Finalist, Ivy has received much acclaim for her Guardians of Eternity, ARES Security, Immortal Rogues and Sentinels series. She lives with her family in Missouri and can be found online at http://www.AlexandraIvy.com.

Reece wants Jessica the moment he sees her, and he’s a man who always gets what he wants. At first he was only after a night in her bed, but as he comes to know the smart, confident woman beneath the stunning exterior, he realizes once will never be enough.

Unfortunately, Jessica’s real-life Cinderella story is about to take a deadly turn…

Reece’s world is filled with fierce ambition and dark family secrets the Winchesters desperately want to hide. But he and his brothers aren’t the only ones who know those secrets. Someone else is out there, waiting to strike. Waiting-and always watching.

When danger finally steps out of the shadows, Reece will have to face his past. And Jessica will have to decide just how far she can trust the man she loves with her heart…and her life.

Jess was so lost in thought about Reece the superstar she forgot the man was in the room, and that she’d imagined he was staring at her. Which was perhaps why she nearly dropped her glass when she felt a tall, solid form move behind her and heard a man say, “Interesting.”

Smooth voice. Deep, silky. A voice she recognized. She’d heard it on the big screen and the small one, since she had copies of every movie he’d starred in—seven from his childhood years, eight from his adult ones. Was he really talking to her?

“Yes, it is,” she murmured, all calm and collected, like she was not shaking in her consignment store shoes.

“Possibly one of the artist’s earlier efforts.”

Hmm. How had he known? “Yes,” Miss Conversational Genius repeated.

“I’m not interrupting, am I?”

The hint of confidence in the tone told her he knew the answer. Had any woman ever told him to go away because he was bothering her? Huh. Doubtful. “Not at all.”

“Good. What is it called?”

“What we’re doing? I think it’s a conversation.” Jess didn’t know where the snarky response came from, or where she’d gotten the nerve to be all quippy with the guy, but there you go. That was her, always a mouth-off away from catastrophe.

“I meant the sculpture,” he said. No laugh. No humor. Crap.

Realizing they were actually going to have a conversation, and knowing it might require face-to-face interaction, she wondered if she was ready for it. Hesitating, she licked her lips and replied, “It’s called Naked Man.”

“Subtle.”

Knowing it was rude not to face him, she took a deep breath and glanced over her shoulder. Lord have mercy.

Deep breaths might be calming in normal situations—like when one was confronted by a repo man repossessing a car. Been there, done that. But they didn’t work at all when looking into the clear amber eyes of a man every woman on the planet fantasized about. His looks made you silently gawk while you tried to figure out why the arrangement of cheek and jaw, mouth and eyes, was so arresting and unforgettable. She interacted with scruffy, shaggy-haired surf-bum types in the bar where she worked, so she’d almost forgotten how appealing a conservative haircut and a smoothly shaven face could be. Not to mention the sexiness of a perfectly tailored power suit, the charcoal color interrupted only by a splash of red in the necktie.

She finally cleared her throat and pushed a few words out. “It is from very early in the artist’s career. How did you know?”

“She draped the sex organs, as if she wasn’t quite ready to go there.”

Jess nodded, wondering if she was truly talking about men’s packages with the sexiest freaking man alive. Was this really happening, or was she hallucinating? Had

that stupid bartender slipped GHB in her drink? Damn, if she woke up tomorrow with no memory of what happened, and then found videos of herself on YouTube, she would rip him a new one.

Author Bio:

Leslie A. Kelly is a New York Times bestselling author who has written more than fifty books in various genres. She currently writes contemporary romances under the name Leslie Kelly, and dark thrillers as Leslie A. Kelly.

She is the author of the futuristic Veronica Sloan thriller series, and of the dark romantic suspense Black CATs series.

]]>https://carriesbookreviews.com/2018/03/17/watching-you-by-leslie-a-kelly-blitz-with-giveaway/feed/0boombaby13XBTBanner1Happy St. Patrick’s Dayhttps://carriesbookreviews.com/2018/03/17/happy-st-patricks-day/
https://carriesbookreviews.com/2018/03/17/happy-st-patricks-day/#commentsSat, 17 Mar 2018 12:00:36 +0000http://carriesbookreviews.com/?p=16965Happy St. Patrick’s Day from my town of Indianapolis. I thought I’d share a few pics from the city where every year they celebrate by dyeing the canal green.

Since her only daughter left for college, widow Pamela Paterson has kept busy as associate editor of a craft magazine and founder of the Knit and Nibble knitting club in quaint Arborville, New Jersey. Now, she’s trying out a new hobby—solving murders!

Pamela is hosting the next Knit and Nibble meeting and can’t wait to liven up her otherwise empty home with colorful yarn, baking, and a little harmless gossip. She even recruits Amy Morgan, an old friend who recently moved to town, as the group’s newest member. But on the night of the gathering, Amy doesn’t show. Not until Pamela finds the woman dead outside—a knitting needle stabbed through the front of her handmade sweater . . .

Someone committed murder before taking off with Amy’s knitting bag, and Pamela realizes that only she can spot the deadly details hidden in mysterious skeins. But when another murder occurs, naming the culprit—and living to spin the tale—will be more difficult than Pamela ever imagined . . .

Knitting tips and delicious recipe included!

Murder, She Knit by Peggy Ehrhart is the first book in the new cozy A Knit & Nibble Mystery series. A cute cozy series that features a bit older of a main character, some crafty projects and a cute little kitty that slowly adopts her new human.

With her daughter gone off to college now Pamela Paterson has filled some of her free time with her knitting group, Knit and Nibble. The group alternates homes of it’s members to get together to craft and share some snacks once a week and it was now Pamela’s turn to host the meeting.

Just before the night’s meeting though Pamela runs into an old acquaintance and invites her to join the knitters. At the time others begin to arrive though Pamela gets busy and doesn’t notice her new guest had never arrived. After the party breaks up however Pamela goes out to check on the stray kitty she’d been feeding only to find Amy with a knitting needle protruding from her body and most obviously dead.

As with any cozy read our main character here can’t possibly sit back and let the police handle the investigation thinking they just don’t ask the right questions. So with the help of her best friend and fellow knitter, Bettina, Pamela sets out to find just what had happened to bring about a murder in her own garden.

I have to admit this one had an instant endearing quality to it as it immediately brings back memories of my own grandma who was good at all the crafty things that I just never grasped, knitting, crocheting, sewing and on and on. As nice as the story went though I would still like a tad more quirkiness, perhaps giving Catrina (the kitty) a bigger role and to go deeper into getting to know the characters in the future installments. The author gave a lot of knitting things a lot of depth so a bit of that focus into other aspects would be nice too. Otherwise a nice start leaving me to rate this one at 3.5 stars.

Peggy Ehrhart is a former English professor who lives in Leonia, New Jersey, where she writes mysteries and plays blues guitar. She holds a Ph.D. in medieval literature from the University of Illinois and taught writing and literature at Queens College, CUNY, and Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she was a tenured full professor. Her short stories have appeared in Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine, Crime and Suspense, Flashing in the Gutters, Spinetingler, Crime Scene: New Jersey 2, and Murder New York Style. A longtime member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, Peggy served on the board of MWA New York as head of the Mentor Committee. She was president of Sisters in Crime NY/TriState from 2013 to 2015. Peggy regularly attends mystery‑writing conferences and participates in conference panels and also gives talks on mystery fiction at libraries in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

‘You’ve got to help me.’
On a wet road in the black of night, Karl Seabury is driving home to his pregnant wife. Suddenly, caught in his headlights in the middle of the road is a woman shaking with fright.

The woman says her name is Liz Smith, that her home was attacked, and that she was the only one to escape.

In a split-second decision, Karl decides to help her to safety. But can he really trust her? Or has he put his family in danger?

An absolutely unputdownable thriller, with twist after twist after twist, that will leave you breathless. Perfect for fans of Robert Dugoni, John Marrs and Harlan Coben.

The Choice by Jake Cross is a highly intense and action packed thriller that I probably should have completely fallen in love with. However for me that simply wasn’t the case with this book as I found myself struggling with being able to suspend disbelief and go along for the ride.

The story starts out with Karl Seabury driving along a somewhat desolate road late at night and having a woman jump out in front of his van. The woman is claiming she is being chased and it’s very apparent she is in need of help so Karl let’s her into the van. This here is the beginning of my logical brain taking over and asking the what ifs as to what should/could happen in this type of situation. I’d like to hope people would like to help so it’s not out of the realm to believe the story so far.

After Liz Smith gets into the car with Karl a man is seen that she is running from so Karl high tails it out of there with the victim in tow. Now here is where my logical side begins taking over as Liz is adamant in not going to the police. As Karl and Liz are discussing this back and forth Karl has his own doubts going through his mind but he goes completely against those and takes Liz to his place of business and allows her to spend the night, completely alone and unguarded, as Karl goes home to his pregnant wife.

Now who in their right mind is going to bring a complete stranger into their own lives and give them free reign of their belongings?? I mean as much as I like to believe in the kindness of strangers and there being good people out there it just seems this crossed a line that no sane person would. I, myself, would struggle with letting a stranger in the car with me in the middle of the night being a female and would probably “help” by dialing 911 but since Karl is male it’s more likely he’d let her in so I was OK with that but letting her in to his shop when he himself brings up the dangers?? Not really buying it.

I’ve seen news stories of the police telling citizens to watch out for children claiming to be lost and to not go to an unknown area with them but to contact police or deliver them to a station because it’s used to lure in unsuspecting people to where the adults wait to rob them. A grown woman refusing to go to the police is a huge red flag in itself but if still wanting to go the extra mile for her and take her someplace “safe” then why not a motel? Heck, that would be a lot cheaper for Karl if she wasn’t on the up and up than giving the chance to rob him blind.

So as you all can see my struggle with this story in this was only the opening pages of the book so no matter how well it’s written or how intense the story became I had these doubts floating in my mind from the get go. And as one might guess I perhaps could put aside the opening had there not been other instances in the book that really, really had me questioning the sanity of the characters. One must know it wasn’t only poor Karl and his decisions that grated at me but many times I had the thought there is just no way that would happen. So when finished with this one I do believe some out there will absolutely love the non-stop adventure that began with doing a good deed this one however was just not my cup of tea leaving me to rate it at 2.5 stars.